ITM Group Plans Exciting Development of Cruise Terminal at Melilla Marina in Morocco

The Mexican company ITM Group has obtained a 25-year concession from the Port Authority of Melilla to build a cruise passenger terminal at Melilla Marina, alongside the Mineral Loading Dock. The firm plans to invest approximately EUR 1.8 million in this venture, which aligns with its growth strategy.

ITM Group, headquartered in Cancún, has over 30 years of experience in port management and infrastructure development. The company has been involved in significant cruise projects across the Caribbean, including facilities at Costa Maya in Mexico, Taino Bay in the Dominican Republic, Port Roatán in Honduras, and Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic.

Manuel Ángel Quevedo, chair of the Melilla Port Authority, characterized the development as a transformative project. He noted that many commercial spaces in the marina have been unused for years, and their refurbishment is anticipated to create jobs and generate revenue. The new passenger control building will be constructed on a small adjacent site designed to respect the heritage of the historic loading dock.

This project required resolving an exclusivity agreement with ETM, which had exclusive rights for passenger services in Melilla since 2010. Under the new terms, ETM will exclusively transfer cruise traffic rights for the Mineral Dock to ITM’s subsidiary MDT.

The concession encompasses around 1,465.95 m² for ten commercial units and an additional 463 m² for the passenger terminal. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, with completion expected by the summer of 2026. The initial phase will enhance unused spaces to host restaurants, souvenir shops, and basic passenger services, with a modest one-storey control terminal designed to complement the historic dock’s architecture.

With Melilla’s cruise traffic projected to increase from approximately 4,000 passengers in 2023 to 9,000 in 2024, the Port Authority anticipates growth to over 80,000 annual cruise visitors by 2027 and reaching 150,000 by 2030. The city is also expected to accommodate over 130 cruise calls compared to the current 12.

In the coming weeks, ITM Group executives will visit Melilla to coordinate ancillary services for cruise passengers, promoting the region’s European heritage and local culture to global visitors. This initiative signifies a significant advancement in Melilla’s maritime efforts, revitalizing underutilized infrastructure while establishing a dedicated cruise terminal to enhance the city’s presence in Mediterranean cruise itineraries.

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